I acquired my Camp Lift from K&R Adventure Gear in March, 2001.
The Camp Lift consists of a pivoting lever and two posts mounted between two side plates. One side plate is stationary, while the other pivots on the lever axle so that it may be opened to admit the rope. The lever is spring-loaded so that the tag side closes against a smooth, slightly convex anvil. The anvil is attached to the rear face plate with two stainless steel pins, one of which is extended to engage a notch in the front face plate. For some reason there are teeth on the outside of the anvil, where they cannot contact the rope.
The Camp Lift is 74 mm. tall, 78 mm. wide, and 25 mm. thick. Mine weighs 95 g.
The front of the ascender is marked with "ITALY," "1D," "ROPE," "min ø 8," "max ø 13," the Camp Logo, and the "Sieg Heil" icon. The "Sieg Heil" icon is repeated on the inside of the rear face plate.
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Warning: In Februaruy 2009, I learned that the C.A.M.P.-U.S.A.web site states that the lift is "[n]ot designed for use in personal ascending or self belay." For this reason, I do not recommend using it for anything other than hauling non-human loads. |
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To rig
this ascender, bring the standing rope down to the right (as shown)
of the lever, then pass it under the lever and over the knurled
post. Close the swinging side gate, and insert a carabiner through
the holes. When load is applied to the carabiner, the rope exerts
a counter-clockwise torque on the lever, and the left side of
the lever squeezes the rope against the knurled post.
The Camp
Lift is a small, reliable (but inefficient) ascender. There is
a significant lost motion with each step as the entire ascender
rotates under load. I wouldn't choose this one for a long climb,
but it's small size makes it attractive for short, remote drops.